Earth working machine



Nov. 27, 1934. J, MCALISTER 1,982,219

EARTH WORKING MACHINE Original Filed April 18, 1932 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 I I E INVENTOR.

QQMMWL f ATTORNEQS.

Nov. 27, 1934. J, MCAUSTER 1,982,219

EARTH WORKING MACHINE Original Filed April 18, 1932 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 QINVENTOR.

a M A Nov. 27, 1934. J MCALISTER 1,982,219

EARTH WORKING MACHINE Original Filed April 18, 1932 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR. j wtib 771 M Patented Nov. 27, 1934- UNITED STA res I EARTH WORKING MACHINE Jallie McAlister, San Francisco, Calif., assignor of one-fourth'to M. Francisco, Calif.

Mitchell Bourquin, San- Application April 18, 1932, Serial No. 605,923

' Renewed April .5, 1934 Claims.

This application relates to an earth working machine and forms a continuation in part of my application entitled Earth working too1-,.

filed June th, 1931, vSerial Number 544,424.

The object of the present invention is to generally improve and simplify the construction and operation of earth working machines, such, as employed for scraping, scarifying, leveling, grading, and moving of earth and similar materials from one place to another, as in road building operations and the like; to provide a machine or tool of the character described which is provided with interchangeable tools, one tool which may be employed for scraping and leveling operations, 1 and a second tool which may be employed for scarifying a hard rolled surface or for breaking it up, together with means for gathering the broken material, and for carrying or conveying it to a fill; to provide means for discharging and spreading the material and for controlling the thickness of the spread; to provide means whereby the different tools may be quickly and readily attached or removed; to provide means whereby the tools may be adjusted to assume an angular position crosswise of the machine either horizontally or vertically, or both; to provide. a machine which can be handled by a single operator both when changing tools and when'working;

and further, to provide a machine in which the 307 tools are fluid actuated when working to adjust their cutting or digging depth and to elevate them when carrying material 'or otherwise.

The earth working machine is shown by way of illustration in the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. l is a side elevation of the machine partially in section, said elevation showing the application of a scraper.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the machine, showing the application of a scraper.

Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the machine partly in section, showing the application of a combination scarifier and earth carrier.

Fig. 4 is a front view of the machine, showing the application of a scraper, said view showing the manner in which the scraper may be tilted laterally to scrape the inclined side surface of a road or the like.

ly in section, showing the application of the Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the combination scarifier and earth carrier and showing the same in digging position.

Fig.8 is a perspective,viewlookingat the rear end of the machine, said viewshowing the rearsupporting wheels and arms removed, said View also showing hasp-like members 60 whereby the rear part of the earth carrier is attached to the main frame.

Referring to the drawings in detail, and par ticularly F'rgsl and 2, A indicates the main frame of, themachine', B'the drawbar whereby it is attached to a tractor, or. the like,;C a pairof rear supporting wheels, and D one of the tools which is adapted to be attached to the main frame.

Thetool shown in Figs. '1 and 2 is a' scraper, such as used for scraping and leveling purposes. The scraper is best illustrated in Figs. .1 andG. It consists of atop plate 2 and aback plate 3 to which a scraper plate 4 is attached in any suit,-. able manner. The scraper is provided with detachable end plates, such as shown at 5, which may be quickly appliedor removed as conditions may demand. During ordinary scraping operations the scraper is disposedon an angle crosswise of the road surface to be scraped, as shown in Fig. 2, and when so positioned the dirt removed by the scraper blade 4 will discharge to one side or another depending upon the angular position. In other instances, the scraper is set at right angles to the direction of travel, particularly where it is desiredto carry the material removed by the scraper blade to some other point, for instance to fill in a depression in the road surface, or the like. In that instance, the side plates 5 are employed. The side plates are provided with dowel pins or lugs 6 at one end, which are adaptedto be inserted in recesses (informed in the back plate. The forward and upper, end of each plate 5 is provided with aninwardly projecting lug '7 and this is insertablein a retainer '8 carried by the top plate 2. The top plate is slotted and soisthe lug 7 and, by inserting a wedge-shaped-pin 9, the plateis tightly drawn into position and retained against removal. The forward edge of each plateis sharpened to form a shearing or cutting edge, as indicated at 9a, so as to make a clean cut when working against a side bank or the like.

The scraper as a whole is detachable with relation to the main frame A and the detachable connection also permits angular adjustment of the scraper with relation to the mainframe, as shown inFig. 2. The detachable connection comprises a circular plate-or collar 10 which is bolted, riveted, or otherwise secured to the top plate of the scraper. The plate carries a post or disc paratively heavy. It is rectangular in shape when diameter.

travel.

viewed from the top, as shown in Fig. 2, and it'is provided with a central opening to receive the post member 11, as shown in Fig. 1. The post 11 extends into the central opening, as there shown, and it is secured by a top plate 14 and a threaded bolt 15 which extends through the top plate and into the threaded central opening 18 of the post.

The top plate is, furthermore, provided with dowel pins 16 which enter the post so as to secure the plate against rotation and the bolt 15 against unscrewing. or becoming loose when the scraper is angularly adjusted, as shown in Fig. 2. The bottom platejlO to which the post 11 is secured engages a padded bottom surface on the main frame and the scraperis' thus secured against upward movement with relation to the main frame. The top-plate '14 engages the upper face of an annular flange 1'7 inwhich the central opening is formed and the top plate thussecures the post and the'scraper attached thereto against downward movement with relation to the main frame.

A'latch 18 is pivotally mounted in the main frame at a point in alignment with the drawbar and forwardly of the post member. This latch is actuated by alever 19 and a pull cable 20, which extends to the tractor whereby the scraper is hauled, and, as such, is in control of the opera tor. The latch normally assumes the position shown in Fig. 1 and, as such, enters oneor another of the keyways 12 formed in the post ll, and thus locks the same when adjusted against rotational movement.

The combination scarifler and earth carrier is best illustrated in Figs. 3, '5 and '7. It consists of a top plate 25, a back plate 26, and end plates 2'7."The top, back and end platesare tied together by the top plate, and also by a central partition plate 28, so as to form a rigid structure. heavy bar 29carrying scarifying teeth 30 extends along the front "lower edge of the-earth car rier and is pivotally attached thereto, as shown at 31. This bar also carries a bottom section 32 and this is adapted to be secured in raised position by a latch 33. This latch is pivotally attached, as at 34, to the rear surface of the back plate 26 and it is actuated by a lever 19 and a pull cable 20, which is extended to the tractor soas to be in control of the operator. The combination ,scarifying and earth carrying tool is also'provided with a plate 10a and a post 11a of large This post has only one keyway formed in its peripheral edge, as indicated at 12a, as angular adjustment such as shown in dottedlines in Fig. 2, is not resorted to, the tool being always maintained at right angles to the direction of opening formed in the main frame and itis adapted to be secured therein by the top plate 14, the dowel pins 16, 'and the securing bolt 15. The means of attachment are, accordingly, substantially the same as the means shown in Fig. 6, the only differencebeing that the post shown" at 11 in Fig. 6 is provided with a plurality of key ways or grooves so as to permit rotationand an gular adjustment of the scraper.

It was previously stated that the main frame The post 11a is adapted toflt the central and the tools carried thereby were supported at the forward end by the drawbar B, as this will be attached to at'ractor, or the like, while the rear end was supported by a pair of wheels, indicated at C. These wheels, as shown in the several figures, are journaled in arms, such as indicated at 40. These arms are pivotally attached, as shown at 41, to the rearend of the main frame and they are, furthermore, connected to the main frame by a fluid actuated adjusting mechanism generally indicated at E. This mechanism consists of a pair of cylinders 44 which are pivotally attached in brackets 45 mounted on the rear end of the main frame. A pair of trunnions, or the like, such as shown at 46 form the pivotal connection between the cylinders and the brackets. Each cylinder is provided with a piston and a piston rod 4'7 and the piston rods are pivotally attached, as at 48, to the outer ends of the arms W The pistons travel in the cylinders may be actuated by-"ccmpressed air or a liquid under pressure, the opposite ends of the cylinders being provided with flexible pipes 51 which are connected through pipes 50, or the like, with a source of pressure supply on the tractor; a suitable valve mechanism, not illustrated, being provided for directing the fluid under pressure to one end or another of each cylinder, said fluid, when entering, causing extension or retraction of the piston rods and hence a swinging movement of the arms 40 about their pivots41. By operating the cylinders in unison, the rear end of the main frame may be raised or lowered so as to adjust the cutting depthof the scraper,.or. the scarifying teeth, or the main frame may be raised to an elevated position, as when traveling from place to place, or when carrying a load of dirt;

.By employing two supporting wheels C and. by employing a cylinder for each wheel, the cylinders maybe independently operated, and the main framemay accordingly assume an angular-position crosswise of the road, as shown in Fig. 4; that is, one wheel C is raised toa higher position than" the other, thus tilting the frame laterally, asshown'in that figure, and permitting scrapingof angular surfaces or the like. Avalve mecha-' nism to control the flow'of fluid under pressure to one cylinder or the otheryor to both cylinders in unison, could be illustrated,.but as it forms no; part of the invention andcould be accomplished by numerous types of Ivalves, illustration thereof -is thought unnecessary. In fact, a'single valve for controlling these operations may be employed, or'two separate valves one for each cylinder may be employed.

'Inactual practice it is desired to point out the fact that a machine, constructed as'here shown," may be operated entirely by a single operator; that. is, ,a single operator is in control of the working parts of the machine when working, as he can adjust the depth of the scraper or scarifier by merely, adjusting the. position of the two rear supporting wheels by means of the fluid actuated mechanism employed. He can trip the bottom section 32 of the earth carrier wheneverit is desired to dumpa'load by merely pulling on the cable 20, and he can spread the load while dumping it. Also,'he can controlthe thickness of the spread; that is, the entire load may bedumped substantially in one position, if the main frame is elevated to suflicient height, or'the load may be spread 'by lowering the main frame through means of the fluid actuating means, for instance, to assumea position, such as shown in Fig. 3. In that instance, when the'bottom section 32 is ipsaaie released by the latch 33, the loadwil'l be spread and the thickness of the spread is controlled. The same is true when handling the scraper shown in Figs. 1 and 2, by adjusting the rear supporting wheels "C the scraper may be lowered to any depth desired. If the'soi-l removed by the scraper is to be conveyed to one side, the scraper is angularly adjusted, as indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 2, and the soil removed may thus be deposited on one side or another of the road surface. If it is desired to carry the removed soil to a desired pointflthe side plates 5 are applied. These plates may be carried on the tractor, or wherever convenient. As they are comparatively light in weight the operator can quickly apply or remove them. If it is desired to change from one tool to another, the operator merely removes the bolt and he can do so quickly and readily as the upper end is provided with long wings, such as shown at 1511. These provide a large leverage, thus permitting unscrewing of the bolt without tools of any character. 'When bolt 15 is removed, top plate 14 can also be removed. The operator then actuates the fluid actuating mechanism E and thereby elevates the main frame with relation to the tool until the post 11 is cleared. In this position the operator swingsthe tractor around and, as such, swings 'the main frame clear of the tool which has just been removed. He can then drive over to the other tool and maneuver so as to bring the main frame in alignment with the post of that tool and then, by lowering the main frame through the fluid actuated mechanism, the post of that tool will enter the opening in the main frame and, when it is properly entered, the top plate 14 is applied and finally the bolt 15.

By referring to the several drawings, it will be noted that the post tapers from end to end, being smaller in diameter at the upper end, and similarly, that the opening in the frame is also tapered to fit the post. This is an important feature as the tapered opening in the frame is larger in diameter at the lower end, while the post is smaller in diameter at the upper end. Hence, a comparatively large opening is provided for the post as it enters and the flaring or tapering surfaces of the opening and the post guide the post into place and automatically center it.

The tools employed, to-wit, the scraper in one instance and the combination earth carrier and scarifier in the other instance, are heavy large tools and could not possibly be handled by a single operator, but by forming the detachable connection here shown the operator will at no time lift or move the tools, as he merely releases one tool and pulls away from it and then pulls over to the second tool and lowers the main frame over the same. In other words, all heavy work is done by the tractor and the fluid actuated mechanism and the only work required on the part of the operator is that of properly maneuvering the machine and that of removing the bolt 15 and the top plate 14, or replacing the same.

' These are not excessively heavy and as such can be readily handled.

The combination scarifier and dirt carrier will under certain conditions carry comparatively heavy loads and, as it is not desirable to depend upon the detachable connection under such conditions, an auxiliary attachment is made at the rear end of the frame; that is, a pair of hasp members, such as shown at 60, are pivotally attached to the rear plate 26 of the earth carrier. These are swung upwardly over perforated lugs formed on the rear end of the main frame and by dropping bolts or pins therethrough an auxiliary connection is made at the rear end which materially reduces the strain on the detachable connection-or post. I

The machine as a whole is exceedingly rigid in construction and so are the detachable connections formed between the machine and the tools employed. All operations can be quickly accomplished and efficiency and a high output'of work can accordingly'be accomplished by a single operator. a

By referring to Figs. 1 and 3, it will be noted that latch -18 only functions when the scraper D is being employed, and that the latch 33 only functions when the earth carrier is beingemployed, as shown in Fig. '3. Both latches are provided with sockets at their upper ends so 'as to permit insertion'of a handle 19 to which the pull cable 20 is attached. Hence, when changing over from the scraper, shown in Fig. 1, to the earth carrier, shown in Fig. 3, handle 19 is pulled out of the latch 18 and inserted in thesocket of latch33, so "that the same handle and cable 20 may be utilized in either instance.

Vhile-certain features of the present invention are more 'or lessspe'cifically described, I wish it understood that various changes may be resorted to withinthe scope of the appended claims. Similarly, that the materials and finish of the several parts employed may be such as the manufacturer may decide, or varying conditions or uses may demand. f

Having thus'described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is- 1; A machine of the. character described comprising a main frame having a tapering opening formed therein, a tool, "a tapering post on'the tool inset-table in the opening in the frame and forming a swivel connection between the tool and frame, a detachable head plate engageable with the upper end of the post and the upper face of the frame, a dowel connection between said plate and post, and a detachable means extending through the plate and into the post and secur ing the post and tool carried thereby against removal.

2. A machine of the character described comprising a main frame having an opening formed therein, a tool, a post on the tool insertable in the opening in the frame and forming a swivel connection between the tool and frame, a detachable head plate engageable with the upper end of the post and the upper face of the frame, a dowel connection between said plate and post, a detachable means extending through the plate and into the post and securing the post and tool carried thereby against removal, said post having a keyway formed in one side thereof, and a latch member movable into and out of engagement with said keyway to secure the post and tool carried thereby against turning movement with relation to the frame.

3. A machine of the character described comprising a rectangular shaped frame having a substantially centrally disposed round tapering opening formed therein, a drawbar connected to the front of the frame, supporting Wheels at the rear of the frame, a tool carried by the frame, a tapering post on the tool insertable in the frame opening, a plate engaging the upper face of the frame, a dowel connection between said plate and the upper end of the post, and a screw bolt extending through the plate and having threaded connection with the post to secure the post and 'the tool carried thereby-against removal. with relation to the frame.

4. Amachine of the character described comprising a rectangular shaped frame having a substantially centrally disposed round opening against removal with relation to the frame, a

plurality of interspaced keyways formed in one side of the post, and a latch member carried by the frame and movable intoand out of engagement with said keyways to secure the post and tool against turning movement in the frames 5. A machine of the character described comprising a frame, a drawbar secured to the front of the frame, a pair of wheels supporting the rearof the frame, a post adapted to be secured to the frame, an earth carrier secured to the post,

and hasps securing the earthcarrier to the frame and supporting a portion of the weight of the carrier.

6. In a machine of the character described, a r frame, a cone-shaped disc, atool securedthereto, a frame having a cone-shaped opening formed therein for the reception of the disc whereby the frame may be lowered into position over the disc, and means for securing the disc against endwise removal from the opening in the frame when the frame is lowered over the disc.

'7. In a machine of the character described comprising a frame and a tool supported thereby, a tapering post on the tool, said frame having a tapering opening for the reception ofSa-id post,

said post having a plurality of notches formed inits outer periphery, and means extending into said opening and, engageable with said notches selectively to retain the tool in a desired position,

8. In a machine ofthe character described a frame, a tool supported thereby, a tapering post on the tool, said frame having a tapered opening for the reception of said post, a collar on the lower end of the post engageable with the bottom surface of the frame, means secured to the upperend of the post and engageable with the upper surface of the frame, said means securing the post against endwise removal from the frame but permitting turning of the post and the tool carried thereby, and means securing the post and the tool against turning movement when assuming I different turned positi0ns.

9. In a machine of the character described the combination with a frame and a post carried thereby, of a scraper secured to the post, said scraper comprising a top plateand a back plate of the back plate, a slotted lug on each end plate,

means on-the top plate for receiving said lugs,

and a pair of wedge-shaped pins insertable in lugs against 

